Carnival Corporation Consolidates Brands: P&O Australia Replaced by Carnival Cruise Line

Two former P&O Australia ships, the Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter, have been transferred to Carnival Cruise Line and renamed Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter. This strategic shift was announced last year. Only the Pacific Explorer will not be retained under the Carnival brand and is leaving the corporation.

Visual and Operational Updates
The two rebranded ships feature distinct visual differences from most Carnival Cruise Line vessels, including a modified hull design and the absence of Carnival’s signature whale-tail funnel. However, guest areas have been updated to align with Carnival’s onboard experience, which the company promises will deliver even more entertainment and excitement.

Year-Round Presence in Australia
Carnival Cruise Line now maintains a permanent presence in Australia and Oceania with three ships: Carnival Adventure, Carnival Encounter, and Carnival Splendor. Seasonally, a fourth ship, Carnival Luminosa, will join the fleet. Primary departure ports include Sydney and Brisbane along Australia’s Pacific coast.

Fleet Expansion Through Redeployment
With these additions, Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet has reached a record 29 ships. Notably, five of the last six additions were not new builds but redeployed vessels from other Carnival-owned brands. Since 2022, Costa Crociere has transferred Costa Firenze, Costa Luminosa, and Costa Venezia to Carnival Cruise Line, followed now by the two former P&O Australia ships.

This consolidation reflects the corporation’s strategy to focus on core brands while optimizing fleet efficiency.

Carnival Corporation press release

Hello Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter!

Two ships officially join the Carnival fleet in Australia

Carnival Cruise Line is now the leading cruise operator in Australia as global fleet grows to 29 ships

Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter enter an exciting new chapter for Australia's leading cruise line, Carnival Cruise Line, as they prepare for their maiden voyages. They will offer guests even more typical Carnival fun from Sydney and Brisbane. With these two ships, Carnival Cruise Line now has the largest fleet in its 53-year history with a total of 29 ships.

In Sydney, Carnival Adventure officially joined the Carnival fleet on Friday at a ceremony hosted by Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. A second ceremony will take place on Saturday in Brisbane, the home port of Carnival Encounter. On the same day, guests from both homeports will be welcomed on board for the first Carnival voyage of both ships.

The integration of P&O Australia into the Carnival brand has been completed. Previously known as Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter, the ships have been redesigned to offer the signature Carnival FUN character while retaining some of the most popular P&O elements. Together with cruises on Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa, Carnival expects to welcome over 500,000 guests from its Australian homeports this year.

“Our expansion in Australia is a testament to the incredible enthusiasm for our brand. We are grateful to our loyal guests who are driving our continued growth and cementing Carnival as the world's favorite cruise line,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Doubling the pleasure in our Australian homeports allows us to offer more cruise options, create more variety and deepen our partnerships in Sydney and Brisbane.”

Carnival's industry-leading HubApp is now available to guests on Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter. Guests can use the app on their personal devices to easily make dining and excursion reservations, chat with other guests and explore onboard activities. Additionally, guests become members of Carnival's VIFP Club, a loyalty program with exclusive promotions and perks.

Onboard, guests can expect a unique mix of familiar and popular restaurants such as Luke's Bar & Grill and entertainment options - in addition to the typical Carnival experience. Carnival team members provide the fun and friendly atmosphere that the cruise line is known for across its fleet. The Fun Squad organizes deck parties and activities. A range of additional Carnival experiences and activities have also been added, from comedy shows and 80s rock and glow nights for adults to Build-A-Bear workshops, Seuss at Sea and Camp Ocean for children.